The Skeptic Zone #842 - 24.November.2024
5 hours ago
Monday, November 20, 2006
Dilemma
I've been asked to be the godfather (Don 'Door) for my nephew. I'll do it but I'm would be extremely uncomfortable if I have to say anything that pertains to my belief in a god. Being who I am, I would find it wrong if I have to profess a belief in god when in fact I don't. I do want to do this for my family, but this does hang over my head. What should I do?
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5 comments:
And the parents are all god-y, are they? Tough. Talk to them about whether they realise the extent of your heathenism.
I was lucky - when I was asked to be the godmother to the daughter of some French friends, the first thing they said was 'Don't worry, there's no god involved!'
I'm with Mands. 'Godparent' doesn't necessarily have to be about god.
If it's meant as being another adult to whom the young tyke can come to talk about stuff, and who the parents can rely upon to look out for him than it's fine.
If they want YOU (of all people!) to pretend you believe, then you should say no.
You need to talk to them about their expectations.
Ditto re: the thoughts above.
Get an idea of what the parents expect, and if it doesn't gel with what you are comfortable with, then let them know.
I have godparents, but there has never once been any mention/inference/reference to religion with regard to my godparents. The best thing one of my godparents did for me was start a "tradition" where he gave me a bottle of quality port each year from birth to my 21st birthday.
ha! conversations with my godfather invariably go something like this:
him: have you been to church lately?
me: no.
him: well, as long as you've been drinking some good bottles of red - and not that socialist grape* - then that's all that matters. come over here and give your godfather a kiss.
*merlot.
Just tell them that you've done them a favour and one day - one day! - you'll call on them for the favour to be returned.
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